MultiBit

MultiBit is an open source, cross-platform and freely downloadable graphical software implemented in Java and designed from the offset to act as a secure, ligthweight and international Bitcoin wallet, tailored specifically for users who are looking for a Bitcoin wallet that just works.

Uses can easily perform Bitcoin transactions

MultiBit is a easy to install, allows users to easily and quickly perform Bitcoin transactions with just a few mouse clicks, supports several languages, and it's very secure, storing all your private keys encrypted on your personal computer.

Getting started with MultiBit

To use the MultiBit application on a GNU/Linux operating system, you will have to install it using the Java installer provided on this page or on the project’s website (see the homepage link at the end of the article). Download and save the JAR file on your desktop.

Make sure that you have the latest Oracle Java installed, then double click the installer. Install MultiBit by following the on-screen instructions. If a shortcut is created on the desktop, use it to fire up the application, otherwise double click on the multibit-exe.jar file from inside the ‘MultiBit’ folder on your Home directory.

The application will open and it will start synchronizing with the Bitcoin network, a process that will take some time, depending on your computer’s specs. It uses tabs to allow you to easily navigate between send, receive and transactions views, but we strongly suggest you to read the information displayed on the Welcome tab.

Under the hood and supported operating systems

Taking a look under the hood of the MultiBit application, we can notice that it has been written entirely in the Java programming language, which means that it is a platform-independent software supported on any operating system where the Java Runtime Environment (JRE) technology is available, including all GNU/Linux distributions, as well as Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X. It is a dontationware application that supports 32 and 64-bit computer platforms.

What is new in this release:

• Upgrade to bitcoinj 0.11.2. This is mainly bug fixes.
• Update of localisation and checkpoints files.
• #540: Removal of import of blockchain.info wallet export files
• #540: New utility "Tool | Check Private Keys"
• #533, #534: Fix for cannot send 1000BTC or more (fix by Telepatheic)
• #530: Fix for test timezone error (fix by allada)
• #529: Fix for padding bytes in private key export files (fix by Andreas Schildbach)

What is new in version 0.5.16:

• Fixed: if you close a wallet then open it immediately it does not appear.
• Updated code to bitcoinj 0.10.3 (transaction is now resent ok if not initially sent).
• Changed reset block chain and transactions to always run before wallet creation date.
• Send is now prevented until sync completes.
• Examined code to see if 'tx is missing' can be improved.
• Removed 'File | Delete Wallet' entirely for safety reasons.
• Now performs a ping of peers before send as a network check.

What is new in version 0.5.15:

• Fixed: Bitcoin URI protocol handler does not work properly under Windows.
• Inverted colour scheme now working ok.
• Fixed: Exception when sending coins.
• Fixed: The addresses in Sign Message / Verify Message need white space trimming.
• Fixed: USB drive installation instructions are out of date.
• Added support for new blockchain.info wallet format to Import Private Keys.
• Fixed: MultiBit does not build.
• Fixed: Misleading error message when trying to send very small amount.
• Updated build to bitcoinj 0.10.2
• Added a message when wallet closes (with location of wallet).
• Added Serbian as a target language.
• Updated XChange library to 1.10.0

Requirements:

• Oracle Java Standard Edition Runtime Environment